12 Essential Transport Words for Japan Travel | From Trains to Taxis, Boarding and Getting Off
Here are 12 essential N5 vocabulary words you need to know when using public transportation during your trip to Japan.
Learn the names of major transportation methods like trains, buses, and taxis, along with core verbs like 'to ride' and 'to get off'.
We've compiled practical example sentences you can use right away and clarified how to use easily confused particles.
How this bundle was curated
All items at a glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 電車 | でんしゃ | train / subway |
| バス | バス | bus |
| 駅 | えき | station |
| 空港 | くうこう | airport |
| タクシー | タクシー | taxi |
| 車 | くるま | car |
| 自転車 | じてんしゃ | bicycle |
| 切符 | きっぷ | ticket |
| 時間 | じかん | time |
| 乗る | のる | to ride / to get on |
| 降りる | おりる | to get off |
| 次 | つぎ | next |
Item by item
Reading: でんしゃ
train / subway
The primary mode of transport for Japan travel. It is commonly used to refer to everyday trains or subways.
Reading: バス
bus
Written in katakana. In Japan, you generally board city buses from the rear door and exit from the front door.
Reading: えき
station
Used for both subway and train stations. It is one of the most frequently used words when asking for directions.
Reading: くうこう
airport
The place where your trip begins and ends. You will often see this kanji on guideboards.
Reading: タクシー
taxi
In Japan, the rear doors of taxis often open and close automatically, so you usually don't need to open them yourself.
Reading: くるま
car
Refers to cars in general. Used when renting a car or talking about road conditions.
Reading: じてんしゃ
bicycle
It's very common to see people riding bicycles in their daily lives in Japan, and there are many bike rental services available.
Reading: きっぷ
ticket
While transport cards (IC cards) are widely used nowadays, you still need to buy paper tickets for limited express trains or the Shinkansen.
Reading: じかん
time
A basic noun frequently used when asking or confirming how long a trip will take.
Reading: のる
to ride / to get on
When getting on a vehicle, it is common to use the particle 'に' to convey the nuance of entering a destination.
Reading: おりる
to get off
When getting off a vehicle, the particle 'を' is mainly used to convey the nuance of leaving that space.
Reading: つぎ
next
A word you will always hear in announcements for the next station or stop.
Practice with examples
How to decide when unsure
- When 'getting on' a vehicle, generally use the particle 「に」 as it carries the nuance of moving into a destination. (e.g., バスに乗る)
- When 'getting off' a vehicle, mainly use the particle 「を」 as it carries the nuance of leaving a space. (e.g., 電車を降りる)
- When moving 'by means of' a vehicle, use the particle 「で」 to indicate the method or means. (e.g., タクシーで行く)
Common mistakes
Directly translating the English 'ride the bus' might tempt you to use 'を' (wo), but saying 「バスを乗る」 sounds unnatural in Japanese. It is standard to use 「に」 (ni) with the sense of 'boarding onto the bus'.
Wrong example: バスを乗ります。/Correct example: バスに乗ります。
Conversely, when getting off, it is natural to say 「バスを降ります」 to mean 'getting off (from) the bus'.
Mini quiz
Which of the following is the most natural Japanese sentence for 'I will take the train'?
One-line summary
By mastering these essential N5 transport words, you will be able to navigate and use public transportation with much more confidence during your trip to Japan.
FAQ
How do you distinguish between a train and a subway in Japanese?
Trains used for daily commuting or city travel are usually called 「電車(でんしゃ)」, while long-distance trains are sometimes called 「列車(れっしゃ)」. The high-speed rail, Shinkansen, is called 「新幹線(しんかんせん)」.
What is a transportation card called in Japanese?
It is usually called an 「ICカード」 (IC card). People often refer to them directly by specific brand names like Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA.
